To celebrate the release of the paperback edition of his book of personal essays, My Heart Is An Idiot (see the book review here), Davy Rothbart lit up Ballceaux on Sunday night as part of his “Unfinished Business” tour.
To celebrate the release of the paperback edition of his book of personal essays, My Heart Is An Idiot (see the book review here), Davy Rothbart lit up Ballceaux on Sunday night as part of his “Unfinished Business” tour.
As editor and creator of Found Magazine, Rothbart also brought along a collection of hilarious Found notes to read to his audience. This night was particularly special for Rothbart and his travelling crew of his brother Peter, DJ Mikah the Vipah from Harlem, NYC and sword swallower Brett Loudermilk. Why? It was ‘friends and family night’ with Loudermilk’s mum, Rothbart’s cousin and a gang of old friends in attendance.
DJ Mikah the Vipah busted some tunes as the audience bought drinks and chose their seats. The night’s “official” proceedings kicked off with Davy (his ever-present plaid golf cap in place) talking about the tour- his 13th, and reading some of his favorite Found notes sent in from fans through the country.
Stomachs were tested when Rothbart introduced the next act: Brett Loudermilk, the sword-swallowing extravaganza. Rothbart had met Loudermilk when he was just 18, on the corner of a street in West Virginia. I could barely watch Loudermilk as he stuck swords of varying widths, lengths and curvatures down his throat. When he swallowed three swords at once then lifted them out to reveal them now covered in stomach bile, I actually dry retched. Argh, what a freak in the true freak show sense of the word!
Peter Rothbart sang three original songs based on Found letters, which proved to be hilarious, bittersweet and damn catchy all at the same time. The Rothbart’s are a talented bunch. Davy and Peter have another brother, a journalist who lived in Kazakhstan and I found out after the show while talking to Davy, they have a cousin who is one of the writer’s on Breaking Bad. Give me some of these genes please!
After Peter’s musical interlude, Davy read one of the essay’s from My Heart Is An Idiot, titled: Canada or Bust. Apparently, this tour was the first time Davy had ever read his stories out loud but it didn’t show. His tone, inflections and pace made the reading simply delightful, especially when he revealed to the audience the hitchhiker in the essay – Hakim- was none other than DJ Mikah the Vipah himself.
Afterwards, Davy and his gang talked to audience member, signed books and CDs and proved to be lovely, down to earth gentleman.
Next time Rothbart rolls into town, make sure to come along to his show – you won’t regret it. If you’d like a copy of My Heart Is An Idiot, head on down to Chop Suey books.
